Tauck Announces ms Inspire Godmothers

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year for Tauck. In April, the first of the line’s two newInspiration Class riverboats will be christened in Basel, Switzerland, with Tauck’s four female Cruise Directors serving as collective godmothers to the new ms Inspire.

The four Tauck Cruise Directors who will share the christening honors are Bridget Ashton, Lynn Hardcastle, Mary Pierik and Eszter Pusztai. Additionally, four male Tauck Cruise Directors, Tod Griswold, Scott Peters, Jeremy Shifferly and Steve Marchant, will also attend the ceremonies in supporting roles, and will likewise be honored for their efforts. Marchant will stay with the ms Inspire following a subsequent three-day christening cruise and will serve as the new ship’s cruise director when it sets sail on its first revenue cruise on April 7.

“Our Tauck Cruise Directors and Tauck Directors have collectively been the face of our company for 89 years,” says Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “They are the direct, critical link between Tauck and our guests, and they do an absolutely incredible job delivering the Tauck experience. I know I speak for our entire staff when I say that we’re thrilled to be recognizing our Tauck Cruise Directors, and by extension, our global team of Tauck Directors, at the Inspire’s christening.”

Tauck’s second Inspiration Class ship, ms Savor, will be christened on June 21 in Rudesheim, Germany.

One of Tauck’s longstanding tenets has been the inclusion of a Tauck Cruise Director on each of the line’s river cruise ships to complement the three Tauck Directors that guide each of the line’s comprehensive European cruisetour itineraries. This ensures that each guest receives personable service and accurate information both on the river cruise ship and ashore.

Tauck’s new Inspiration Class vessels will be the largest ever constructed for the line, at 443 feet in length. Yet they’ll carry just 130 guests apiece; a marked decrease in passengers compared to other similarly sized vessels that routinely carry nearly 200 guests.

One of the most revolutionary features of Tauck’s newbuilds are the eight staterooms that will be located on the lowest deck of the vessel, otherwise known as Emerald Deck. Measuring 225 square feet, they will feature an innovative “loft” design that includes a raised platform seating area located against the ship’s hull. Thanks to the raised ceiling design in these staterooms, windows will be larger than the average fixed-window stateroom, and the middle portion of this window will be able to open to allow fresh air to circulate through the cabin.

A 2D rendering of Tauck’s new MS Inspiration and MS Savor, due to enter service in 2014. Illustration courtesy of Tauck.

On the suite front, 22 suites will feature dual French Balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows. Measuring 300 square feet, these will include a pull-out couch, walk-in closet with built-in drawers; and a spacious bathroom with rain shower. An additional 32 staterooms will measure 225 square feet, while 13 staterooms will span 150 square feet to 190 square feet, with four of the 150-square-foot staterooms being designated specially for solo cruisers.

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